Greg Bird benched for Yankees' series finale against Texas

Yankees manager Aaron Boone talks about Miguel Andujar being in the AL Rookie of the Year conversation
Pete Caldera, Staff Writer, @pcaldera

Aug 11, 2018; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees first baseman Greg Bird (33) follows through on a double against the Texas Rangers during the sixth inning at Yankee Stadium.(Photo: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports)

NEW YORK – Greg Bird doubled twice on Saturday, knocking in a run and ending a 1-for-28 skid.

On Sunday, Bird found himself on the bench at Yankee Stadium against the Rangers. Right-handed hitting first baseman Luke Voit (1-for-3) got the start against Texas lefty Martin Perez in the Yankees' eventual 7-2 win.

Manager Aaron Boone said he deeply considered starting Bird, but ultimately decided against it.

“This is more about Martin Perez today, wanting to keep Voit relevant,’’ Boone said. “Perez has had his struggles against right-handed hitting in a big-time way this year.

Entering Sunday, right-handed hitters were batting .369 (65-for-176) against Perez this year. Lefties were batting a healthy .298 (14-for-47) against Perez, who hasn’t won any of his last seven starts.

“There’s going to be plenty of lefties where Greg Bird is in there. And today was almost one of those days,’’ said Boone, who also cited the Yanks’ current long stretch of games; this was the 13th of 20 straight games for the Yanks.

Giancarlo Stanton at DH

For the fifth straight game, and for the seventh time in the last nine games, Giancarlo Stanton served as the designated hitter.

And for the fifth time in the last six games, Stanton homered - collecting his 30th of the year on Sunda.

Stanton is dealing with tightness in his left hamstring, though, “we almost could use him now (as an outfielder),’’ Boone said. “(We’re) just playing it real conservatively. He’s not somebody we can afford to lose.

“Just trying to be as smart as we can while riding him hard. He’s a guy who hasn’t had a day (off during this long stretch), just trying to keep him fresh through this DH spot.’’

Injury updates

At Tampa, Fla., outfielder Clint Frazier (post-concussion migraines) hit in the cage and threw this weekend. But he’s yet to return to the field for baseball activities. “(He’s) still dealing with some symptoms in and out each day,’’ Boone said. “But it seems like it’s trending in the right direction.’’

Catcher Gary Sanchez (right groin strain) will return to New York and go through baseball activity on Monday, including hitting indoors, running outside and conducting catching reps. Sanchez might be able to return to the Yanks’ lineup by the last week of August.

Right-hander Jonathan Loaisiga (right shoulder inflammation) threw 1.2 scoreless innings for the Yankees’ Gulf Coast West affiliate, his first game action since going on the DL. “Positive report,’’ Boone said of Loaisiga’s velocity, command and mix of pitches.